Request for Tenders for the provision of Intellectual Property Office of Ireland eServices - support, maintenance and future development opportunities

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The tender involves providing support, maintenance, and future development for the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland's (IPOI) eServices. The services are built on open-source technologies and include efiling systems for Trade Marks, Designs, Patents, and Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs). The contractor will also manage tools like TMView and DesignView.

• Support and Maintenance: Ensure the continuous operation of existing eServices, addressing any technical issues that arise.
• Future Development: Implement enhancements and new features as required by IPOI.
• System Management: Oversee the efiling systems for Trade Marks, Designs, Patents, and SPCs.
• Tools Management: Maintain and update TMView and DesignView tools.
• Warranty: Provide a 30-day warranty for bug fixes and change requests post go-live.
• Monitoring: Conduct monthly monitoring tasks, which can be split into two half-days.
• Health Checks: Perform a health check within two months of contract commencement.
• Upgrade Management: Ensure compatibility with new versions of Windows Server within 12 months of release.
• Response Times: Assign a support resource within 15 minutes of ticket creation.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement is initiated by the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland (IPOI) to enhance and maintain its eServices infrastructure. This aligns with the Department of Enterprise Tourism and Employment's strategic objectives to improve digital services. The initiative is part of a broader governmental push towards digital transformation in public services. The current systems require ongoing support and potential upgrades to meet future demands and technological advancements.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Minimum annual turnover of €500,000.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million
• Certifications: ISO27001 or equivalent.
• Past experience: Minimum of three comparable projects within the last three years.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) criteria.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Not specified.
• CVs: Not specified.
• Pricing schedule: Must complete Appendix 2.
• Case studies: Evidence of three similar projects.
• Declarations: ESPD, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable.
• Submission portal: eTenders, with a file size limit of 250MB per file and 2GB total.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is for an initial term of 12 months, with the possibility of up to three 12-month extensions. Payment terms are not specified. Key performance indicators include a 30-day warranty for bug fixes and change requests. The contract allows for termination with three months' notice. Intellectual property ownership and sub-contracting rules are not specified. No parent-company guarantee or bond requirements are mentioned.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender requires a minimum turnover close to the contract value, potentially limiting the pool to firms with similar financial profiles. The geographic constraints are not specified, which could affect the bidder pool. The reliance on open-source technologies may pose integration challenges for firms unfamiliar with the existing systems. The contract's dependency on potential extensions introduces uncertainty in long-term planning.

10. SME fit assessment

The tender is open to firms with a minimum annual turnover of €500,000 and experience in similar projects. ISO27001 certification is required, which may limit smaller firms. Consortium bids and sub-contracting are allowed, offering opportunities for SMEs to partner with larger entities. Bid preparation is expected to take several days, given the need for detailed documentation and compliance with submission requirements. The presence of an incumbent is not specified, but the financial and technical criteria suggest a competitive environment.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Request for Tender eServices 2026.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 — Requirements and Specifications, Appendix 2 — Pricing Schedule, Appendix 3 — Tenderer’s Statement